Awning end cover



Jan. 30, 1968 C. W. SUCHNER AWNING END COVER Filed Feb. 4, 1965 INVENTOR. CHARLES l-/. SUCHNER BY (Jigsa Settle & McKinno Q-r oRNEKS United States Patent 3,365,845 AWNING END COVER Charles W. Suchner, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., assignor to Sun Trol, Inc., Southfield, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Feb. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 430,392 4 Claims. or. 52--76) ABSTRACT OF THE DISQLUSURE The disclosure includes a one-piece elongated awning end cover having spaced apart recesses on substantially the same horizontal plane with one recess being formed by two spaced generally parallel recess wall surfaces and a basewall surface defining a generally horizontally extending downwardly opening recess and the other recess being formed on substantially the same plane as the first recess by a vertical wall spaced laterally from one of said recess wall surfaces and upper and lower walls with the upper wall continuing from said vertical wall and terminating in spaced relation to said basewall surface defining an opening at one side for an awning roof member in the upper part of said second recess and above the lower wall with the latter walls cooperating to provide a drainage channel to one side of the downwardly open recess.

The present invention relates generally to awning improvement and more particularly to a novel awning end cover used to form a juncture between roof and side awning panels and the like.

In the past it has been proposed that integral awning end covers be provided with a lower open groove to receive one or more side panels and an upper open groove to receive one or more roof panels in substantially rigid relation, for example see United States Patent 2,680,887. Such prior art awning end covers are objectionable since they readily admit water, such as rain, along with debris carried along with the water into the upper open groove. No provision is made for drainage of the water from the upper open groove. Consequently, such infiltrating water tends to puddle or accumulate in the upper open groove of the awning end cover and is often held by capillary action between closely spaced parts of the juncture formed by the awning end cover, the awning side panels and the awning roof panels. This accumulation of water results in (1) repeated wetting and drying of the interior of the awning end cover, (2) frequent freezing and thawing of the trapped water during cold weather and (3) creation of objectionable odors and provision of breeding places for bacteria. The wetting and freezing action tends to distort the appearance and the structural integrity of the juncture; spalls the surface protection, e.g. surface paint or the like, from the end cover and the ends of the panels at the juncture; loosens the tightness of the fit between the panels and the end cover; and generally shortens the useful life of the awning end cover as well as the awning structure as a whole.

In view of the foregoing, it would be a worthwhile contribution to the awning art to provide an integral awning end cover having an upper open groove receiving roof awning panels and a lower open groove receiving side awning panels which in conjunction with the roof panels substantially restrict the entry of water, such as rain, into the upper open groove and which has structure accommodating prompt drainage from the end cover interior of any infiltrating water. The present invention provides such an awning end cover.

The presently preferred embodiment of this invention provides a novel one-piece elongated awning end 3,355,845 Patented Jan. 30, 1968 cover preferably of painted cold-rolled aluminum having uniquely designed integral portions. The preferred end cover has a generally downwardly open groove or recess formed along one edge of the end cover and receives side awning panels therein preferably in frictionally locking relation. The awning end cover also has a generally sidewardly open upper groove or recess disposed above the downwardly open groove and formed along the other edge of the and cover. The sidewardly open upper groove receives the roof awning panels in tight frictional relation and thereby tends to restrict or sharply limit the entrance of water infiltrating into the upper groove. Furthermore, the upper groove opens inwardly into a relatively large trough-shaped channel, the floor of which is sloped with respect to the horizontal and/or provided with spaced apertures to accommodate ready draining of any water infiltrating into the interior of the end cover.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel awning end cover usable in conjunction with side and roof awning panels to form a unique juncture therebetween.

Another object is the provision of a novel awning juncture comprising a unique end cover and side and roof panels, which juncture restricts entrance of water into the interior of the juncture and which tends to readily drain any water entering the juncture interior. Hence, accumulation of water trapped interiorly of the juncture is avoided and, consequently, damage due to repeated wetting and freezing is avoided, objectionable odors are not generated and breeding ponds for bacteria are eliminated.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a unique awning end cover of the type described which inter-locks with side and roof panels without need of fasteners, such as screws and which is light and easy to handle and install.

These and other objects and features of this invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the presently preferred awning end cover embodiment of this invention illustrated in assembled relation with a top awning panel and a side awning panel;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of the awning end cover of FIGURE 1; and- FIGURE 3 is a perspective exploded view of a modified awning end cover of this invention.

Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout. Generally, FIGURE 1 and also FIGURE 3) depicts an awning corner juncture 10 comprising three separate inter-locking components, i.e. a roof awning panel 12, a side awning panel 14 and a unique awning end cover 16. These three components contiguously frictionally engage each other in the illustrated positions so that no screws or other such fasteners are required to accommodate accurate proper assembly. The corner juncture it) may constitute, for example, part of a patio awning assemblage.

Located along one edge 17 of the awning end cover is a generally downwardly opening horizontally extending open groove or recess 18 comprising generally downwardly opening coextensive sidewall surfaces 20 and 22 and a basewall surface 24 against which the side awning panel 14 continguously fits, being configurated to fric tionally engage at least the surfaces 20 and 22 in surfaceto-surafe contact. The reverse-bend lip 26 of the side awning panel 14 functions to secure the side awning panel 14 in the illustrated position by reason of being abutable with the lip 28 formed by a reverse bend along the surface of the awning end cover. Consequently, once the side awning panel 14 has been inserted into the open groove or recess 18 the side awning panel 14 may not inadvertently be removed therefrom. However, a screw driver or the like may be wedged between the lips 26 and 28 to allow the U-shaped end 30 of the side awning panel 14 to be displaced out of surface-to-surface engagement with the wall surfaces of the open groove 18. It is to be observed that the inter-locking frictional union provided by engagement of the upper U-shaped end 30 of the side awning panel 14 is essentially hidden from the view of persons near the awning structure and is therefore not an unsightly connection.

The other edge 34 of the awning end cover 16 assists in provision of a generally horizontally extending sidewardly opening open groove 36 which comprises a wall surface 38 formed on the under side of a generally horizontally extending flat top 40 at the edge 34, which lip has a reverse bend 42 for purposes of safety so that the sharp terminal edge is not exposed and, therefore, normally will not be contacted by human fingers and the like. The open groove 36 also includes the generally horizontal wall 44, the underside of which also provides the basewall surface 2 previously described Thus, the wall surfaces 38 and 42 are not co-extensive and the roof panel 12 engages both the reverse bend 42 at the surface 38 along the terminal edge 46 of the roof awning panel 12 and the surface 44 as illustrated. The terminal edge 46 of the roof awning panel 12 is also provided with a reverse bend 48 to hide or isolate any sharp edge therealong so as to avoid contact therewith by human fingers and the like. The roof panel 12 is biased into the illustrated position by reason of its engagement with surfaces 38 and 42 aided by the force of gravity and it is to be observed that no inter-locking relationship exists between the open groove 36 and the roof awning panel 12, although one could be provided if desired,

The close engagement between the terminal end 46 of the roof awning panel 12 and the surface 38 at the open groove 36 along the reverse bend 42 provides a weather resistance union which not only directly shields the interior of the awning end cover from precipitation and the like but also restricts the entry of infiltrating water into the interior of the awning end cover.

Adjacent the top 40 at the base of the open groove 36 exists a right angular bend 50 which forms a stop abutment surface 52 against which the roof awning panel 12 may be displaced into the illustrated assembled position with the reverse bend 48 along its terminal edge contacting the stop abutment surface 52. In this manner, the distance which the roof awning panel 12 may be displaced into the open groove 36 in frictionally retained relation is limited.

The open groove 36 opens interiorly directly into a generally U-shaped trough or channel 54. The channel 54- comprises sidewall surfaces 56 and 53, and floor or bottom wall surface 60. A portion of the roof awning panel as well as top 40 of the awning end cover 16 serving to shield the channel 54 against direct entry of rain and the like, as can be appreciated by inspection of FIG URE 1. In the assembled installed position its is recommended that the bottom surface t) of the channel 54 be sloped with respect to the horizontal to accommodate ready drainage of any infiltrating water which may seep into the channel 54 through the open groove 36 along the reverse bend 42 of the top 40. In this way the deleterious effects of repeated and prolonged wetting of the interior surfaces of the awning end cover 16 and the end 46 of the roof awning panel 12 and of freezing and thawing of the water which would otherwise be trapped in the interior of the awning end cover 16 are avoided. Furthermore, the infiltrating water into the channel 54 is not allowed to puddle and accumulate and, therefore, will not provide a favorable breeding place for bacteria and the like which are dangerous to health and frequently generate odors offensive to the human sense of smell. Thus, the useful life and the attractive appearance of the awning is prolonged by 'obviation of the corrosive and bacterial effects of accumulated water. Of course, the terminal ends of the bottom surface 60 of the channel 54- will be provided with some water effluent accommodating means, such as slots or apertures.

With reference to FIGURE 2, the awning end cover 16 is illustrated in cross section showing the preferred structure including an integral aluminum sheet 70 which has been cold-rolled into the illustrated cross sectional configuration. The sheet '70 is provided with a painted surface 72 to both (1) retard the corrosive influence of oxidation along the surface of the aluminum layer 70 which tends to make the surface white or discolored and (2) provide a pigment coloration to the end cover harmonious with the awning roof and side panels and with the house or other building with which the overall awning structure is associated.

While only a single roof awning panel, a single side awning panel and a single awning end cover have been described With reference to FIGURES 1 and 2, it is to be appreciated that a series of aligned or angularly disposed roof and side panels and awning end covers may be utilized seriatim to provide an overall awning structure in the usual manner. Thus, angular joints between adjoining awning end covers of the type described would be provided with matching angular cover plates or the like to provide a harmonious joint therebetween.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 3 which is identical in all respects with the embodiment of FIGURE 1 except the panels are shown in exploded relation with respect to the awning end cover 16 and the channel bottom surface 60 rather than being sloped or in addition to being sloped with respect to the horizontal is provided with a series of spaced drainage apertures 74 to acco'rnmodate rapid discharge of any infiltrating water entering into the channel 54. Furthermore, the roof awning panel 12 may also be provided with a series of apertures 76 adjacent the reverse bend 48 at end 46 so that the apertures 76 fall beneath the top 40 of the awning end cover 16 when the panels and end cover are in their assembled position as depicted in FIGURE 1. The apertures 76 thus provide for swift ready drainage of any infiltrating water such as precipitating rain which has passed between the upper surface of the roof awning panel 12 and the reverse bend 42 of the top 40, thereby minimizing the effect of capillary action which would tend to retain some of the water between the roof awning panel and the under surface 33 of top 40. The advantages provided by the embodiment of FIGURE 1 are similarly provided by the embodiment of FIGURE 3.

As can be seen particularly by inspection of FIGURE 1, only the exterior of the roof and side awning panels 12 and 14 and the exterior of the awning end cover 16 about the channel 54 and along the bend 50 are visible to observers when the awning structure is in the assembled relation as depicted in FIGURE 1. Therefore, an attractive durable corner junction for a patio awning and the like is provided having the additional features and advantages set forth in the beginning of this specification.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In an awning of the patio and like types, an integral awning end cover comprising a generally horizontally extending downwardly opening recess having two spaced generally parallel recess wall surfaces and a recess base- Wall surface receiving at least one awning side member in contiguous relation and, a generally horizontally extending recess having an opening at one side and two essentially non-co-extensive generally parallel recess wall surfaces receiving at least one awning roof member in contiguous relation, one of said essentially non-co-extensive recess wall surfaces and said recess basewall surface constituting wall surfaces of the same wall, and a channel interposed beneath said last-mentioned recess and to one side of said first-mentioned recess to accommodate ready drainage of any infiltrating fluid.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which the generally horizontally extending recess opening at one side has an abutment stop at the base thereof to limit the .distance the roof panel can be displaced into said recess.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 in which one recess wall surface of said downwardly opening recess has a projection engageable with the portion of the side panel to lock the side panel in position against inadvertent release once the end of the side panel is displaced into said downwardly opening recess.

4. In an awning, an integral awning end cover comprising two spaced generally parallel recess wall surfaces and a recess basewall defining surface, a generally horizontally extending downwardly opening recess receiving an awning side member in contiguous relation, and means defining a second generally horizontally extending recess on substantially the same horizontal plane as said first recess, said means including a vertical wall spaced laterally from one of said recess wall surfaces, and upper and lower Walls, said upper wall continuing from said vertical wall and terminating in spaced relationship to said basewall surface defining an opening at one side receiving an awning roof member in the upper part of said second recess and above said lower wall, said one of said recess Wall surfaces and vertical wall cooperating with said lower wall to provide a drainage channel to one side of the downwardly opening recess.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,680,887 6/1954 Rimmeir 52-625 X 2,685,716 8/1954 Evans 5276 2,753,604 7/1956 Etten 5278 3,219,101 11/1965 Prehn 206 3,224,154 12/1965 Toti et al. 52---731 X DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Examiner.

P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner. 

